New $3.4 billion initiative aims to counter plastics in oceans

• According to the United Nations, if current trends continue, the amount of plastic waste entering aquatic ecosystems each year could triple from around 11 million tonnes in 2021 to 23–37 million tonnes by 2040. 

• Africa’s plastic waste is projected to rise from 18 to 116 million tonnes annually by 2060, posing an existential threat to marine life. Much of it enters oceans via open dumpsites, clogged drains and poorly managed rivers.

• Our take: Plastic pollution isn’t just a marine crisis, it’s a climate one… Read more (2 min)

Job board: Danish consultancy tops circular hiring

• NTU International’s presence in countries often overlooked in mainstream development efforts, such as Eritrea, Chad, CAR, Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé, suggests a donor-driven push to build circular economy capacity in under-served regions.

• Eastern Africa and southern Africa lead NTU’s recruitment activity, each with 14 roles, followed by West Africa, which accounts for 9 vacancies. Kenya leads at the country level with 5 roles, ahead of South Africa with 3.

• Jobs Board: Explore the latest openings across Africa’s circular secto… Read more (2 min)

Egyptian waste strategy holds clues for Africa’s recycling future

• Most African countries face rising waste volumes but lack adequate recycling systems, with weak regulation, poor infrastructure and low investment hindering progress toward circular economy goals.

• However, Egypt seems to be attracting international funding by prioritising recycling, suggesting it is doing something right that other African nations could study and adapt to their own contexts.

• Our take: Egypt’s approach offers African nations a practical path to elevate waste management beyond environmental clean-up into economic transformation…Read more (2 min)

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